Synonym Chooser

How is the word ruminate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of ruminate are meditate, muse, and ponder. While all these words mean "to consider or examine attentively or deliberately," ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption.

ruminated on past disappointments

When is it sensible to use meditate instead of ruminate?

While in some cases nearly identical to ruminate, meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

meditated on the meaning of life

When might muse be a better fit than ruminate?

The synonyms muse and ruminate are sometimes interchangeable, but muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance.

mused upon childhood joys

When is ponder a more appropriate choice than ruminate?

Although the words ponder and ruminate have much in common, ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter.

pondered the course of action

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ruminate The Giants have surged back into contention while avoiding the temptation to ruminate over lost opportunities. Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025 Though his characters tend to sidestep spirituality, Wilson doesn't and is often ruminating on life, death and whatever follows. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 Justice notes these preoccupations often impact our wellness in subtle and overlooked ways that can add up to significant harm like sleep disturbance, irritability, uncontrolled worry, ruminating about the ‘what ifs,’ exhaustion, burnout, and over-functioning. Essence, 27 Aug. 2025 Virgos are known for their analytical skills, but can be prone to taking the analysis a little too far and ruminating over matters. Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 19 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ruminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ruminate
Verb
  • Entering his first full offseason, Seidler may want to ponder a comment made a few years ago by Peter Seidler, his late brother.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025
  • In the book, Keaton reflected on modern standards of beauty, pondering the societal obsession with how things look.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Judge Stanley Blumenfeld agreed to extend the trial date, originally contemplated for next August, to October 2026.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Before Microsoft changed its plans, Martin was contemplating a motion to delay the Village Board rezoning vote at least six months so village officials could gather more information.
    Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The club thought Beane was righteous and entertaining enough to feature his rant — that the Bills even had to bleep — at the very beginning of their behind-the-scenes draft special.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • This attracted many music students, one of them Costa Rican Mario Castellón, who formed a group with two Colombians, a Peruvian and a Chilean to entertain at a wedding.
    Karla Gachet, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Geologists debate boundaries of the ring of fire While geologists widely agree upon most regions within the Pacific Ring of Fire, several areas remain subject to debate.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
  • With the nation's 250th anniversary approaching, many teachers, parents and politicians are debating the best ways for students to learn about American history.
    Cory Turner, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Bendicksen, the center’s director of wildlife rehabilitation, decided to attempt something few would consider, a wing transplant.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Even though there is risk that would come with the move, the Saints should consider it if the option presents itself.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • It was originally intended to protect electricity ratepayers from having to shoulder the costs of data centers in their communities, but now simply authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to study whether the cost-shift is happening.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Researchers behind the latest science studied 90 participants with major depressive disorder and found lower LDAEP measures (which means higher serotonin levels) predicted orgasmic dysfunction from eight weeks of treatment with escitalopram with 87% accuracy.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ruminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ruminate. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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